What Does the Bible Say about Being Sober?

Although wine is a permitted drink according to the Bible, getting drunk is a sin. The Word of God makes that point clear in both the Old and New Testaments. Scripture also includes stories about the foolish mistakes people made while being drunk. Noah and Lot are both examples of how too much wine can result in embarrassment and immoral behavior.

It's our experience in The Solid Rock Road that many Christians justify their abuse of alcohol by pointing out that Jesus turned water into wine, and that Jesus drank wine. However, there is not a single account in which Jesus got drunk. How many wine-drinking Christians can make this same claim? And how many Christians have turned from wine to hard liquor and even to drugs?

There's addiction issues in the church and our purpose in The Solid Rock Road is to help Christians identify and not deny! The following are some key Scriptures on being sober:

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 23:20-21

Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

Proverbs 23:29-35

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. ...

Isaiah 5:11

Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!

Hosea 4:11

“Wine and new wine enslave the heart.”

Romans 13:13 ESV

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Romans 14:21

It is not right to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother stumble.

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

1 Corinthians 6:10

Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Galatians 5:21

Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 3:2-3

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Titus 2:1-3

"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things."

1 Peter 4:3 ESV

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.  

1 Peter 1:13

"Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober.”

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

"Let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober."

You can also learn more about our Christian Recovery ministry called the Solid Rock Road here: www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow us on Facebook.  And you can read our book "Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery". 

Christian Recovery: Removing Shades of Gray

God makes one thing clear in the Bible: There is right and wrong. He's a black and white God who doesn't promote shades of gray. On the other hand, the world has moved to the middle and become shady.

Christians in recovery not only have to get set free from addictions, but must identify wrong thinking and consider their spiritual condition in terms of black, gray and white. Most have lived on the edge, moving between the black and gray areas of life. In those two zones, church-going addicts have developed habits and mindsets that mimic the unsaved. In some cases, they have entered pure darkness.

The goal of recovering Christians is to move from the black and gray area to the white space, which is the blessing zone of God. This requires an understanding of God's ways and knowing what is right in His eyes. Most importantly, it requires the decision to do what's right according to scripture.

The Bible is the main resource for learning right from wrong according to God. This point is made in 2 Timothy 3:16. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

According to Wikipedia, righteousness "is an attribute that implies that a person's actions are justified. It can have the connotation that the person has been 'judged' as leading a life that is pleasing to God. Righteousness is also used as an attribute for God."

The Solid Rock Road Christian recovery ministry uses 10 Bible-based principles to lead people to the path of God. It gives them tools to fight the battle for their souls so they can become pleasing to God -- so that they can move from the black and gray of compromise into the righteousness of God.

As a training tool and resource of addicts, check out the book I co-wrote called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. You can also join me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad.

The Devil Has No Manners

As I was pondering the beauty of God and thinking about what a gentleman He is, I suddenly realized that the devil has no manners.

God is mannerly. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we read about how he doesn't interfere when asked not to. We also read in the Bible that we are the ones who need to seek God. We are asked to pray, to read the Word, to go after God with all our hearts. God is always there for us, but He asks that we go to Him. Seeking God is then an act of love on our part.

On the other hand, the devil intrudes and infiltrates. He sees a small opening into our thoughts and lives, and he takes it. He is an opportunist, a thief, a stalker. The devil doesn't wait for his turn, nor is he ever silent. The devil lies non-stop and often gets louder when we ask him to stop.

The fact that the devil has no manners and is in our face helps to explain why people fall into temptation and why it's so hard to say no to drugs and alcohol. But armed with this knowledge, it is clear that Christians in recovery are wise to go hard after God.

We help Christians in addiction remember how to fight and win the battle for their souls by interacting with God. Visit our website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroadwww.twitter.com/solidrockroad and Facebook. Also, look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.

Who is Sitting on the Throne: You or God?

Whenever you depend on your own strength, God can’t give you His. When you admit you’re weak compared to God, He happily intervenes and everything falls into its proper place.

So why do we struggle with letting God be God? If it’s been proven that our lives work better when God is in control, why do we persist in doing things our own way? Why do count on our flawed minds when we have access to the mind of Christ? Why do we forget that God has the power and love we need to live a great life and be free from addictions?

We could all write out long lists filled with reasons we go in and out of our faith and submit to God intermittently. But the main problem is that many Christians are comfortable on the throne and refuse to get off.

God belongs on the throne. If you step down and put God in His rightful place, your life will be blessed.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.

The Solid Rock Road Leads to Jesus

It's really clear that addictions to drugs and alcohol are on the rise, even in Christian communities. As a result, more and more Christian programs focus on the addict and their issues. In the Solid Rock Road ministry, we believe that Christians must focus on the new creation reality -- not themselves.

The power of God and the blood of Jesus set us free from addictions. We just have to believe what the Bible says. The New Living Translation of 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells it like it is: "But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."

If you believe the Word of God, then you can resist all temptation. In our book: Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery, we offer 10 Bible-based principles to get and stay free from addictions forever. It will be out in January 2010. Meanwhile, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad

Prayers for Passion

If you're wondering why you aren't getting the results promised in the Bible, you may want to check your passion meter. Are you half-hearted in your Christian walk, or are you ready to do whatever God says?

Most Christians who tend to relapse are more passionate about the things of the world than they are about the things of God. If that's you, you might want to repent and empty yourself of your sinful nature so God can fill you with His Holy Spirit.

You need the fire of God to transform your life. I suggest you start with prayer. I'm not talking about empty prayers in which you beg God to make your life better. I'm talking about fervent, righteous prayers that the Bible says will "avail much."

I've co-written a book that can help you get back on the path and live a full Christian life. It's titled: Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It will be out in January. Meanwhile, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad

Freedom from Addiction is a Gift from God

You don't have to wonder if you'll ever be free from addictions, you already are. Jesus paid the price for freedom on the cross, and said "It is finished." If you understand the new creation reality, you know that you've won the battle for your own soul. But if you don't, then you will most likely continue to relapse.

Freedom is a gift from God. Will you receive it? Do you even believe it? So many Christians in recovery have discovered that everything they needed to live a lifetime of sobriety is found in the Bible. You can read about the strength of God, the transforming power of God, the deliverance of God, the protection of God, the promises of God and so on, but you must have faith that it is all true.

God is enough. You don't need a program or a group of people to depend on. You must simply become dependent on God.

Follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.

Christian Reocvery and the Power of God

In 12-step programs, you're told that your struggle is one day at a time. In Christian circles, the Bible tells you to pick up your cross daily. The Bible says you are a new creation "Behold, all things have become new." The Bible encourages believers to suffer with Christ, which means we have to pick up our cross every day and deal with our issues properly. As Christians, we're expected to suffer ALL THE WAY to the cross, not halfway, not most of the way -- all the way!

Christians in recovery must agree with the Bible, not a secular program where you depend on your self-will to make it one day at a time. In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul says this: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness." WOW! That's awesome.

Acknowledge you're weak and allow the strength of God to do what you haven't been able to do. With the grace of God, you'll experience a lifetime of freedom from addictions.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also, look for a book I've co-written called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.

Christian Recovery and the Word of God

If you're a Christian and continually relapse, you don't need a program, you need a better understanding of scripture, suffering and obedience. The Bible says you are more than a conqueror, you are a child of the living God, you are a winner and you have the mind of Christ. It also says that we are to pick up our cross daily and that Jesus must be our Lord.

You must believe that the Word of God is your answer to every problem, including your addiction. If you don't believe that, then you are in spiritual danger. If you trust the Word, then you will be willing to do whatever it takes to please the Master. He says to obey is better than sacrifice.

You may want to read a book that includes these concepts and gives more answers to the spiritual battle at hand. It's called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery and its coming out in January 2010.

Meanwhile, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad

Surrender and Realize Your Need for God

If you're a Christian in recovery, the most important thing you can do is surrender to God. You may think you've already done that just by getting saved, but if you continue to struggle with drugs and alcohol, then you really haven't.

When you surrender, you trade your will for God's will. This isn't a nonchalant act. In fact, if it doesn't hurt and it isn't hard, then it most likely won't last. Surrender means you give up, you let go, you say "yes" to every command in the Bible.

When you surrender and realize your need for God, you get the strength of God to fight and win the battle for your own soul. You renounce the works of the flesh and willingly kill your sill nature. In the process, Christ in you rises up and the grace of God empowers you to resist temptation.

Simply put, surrender gives you all the power you need to live a clean and sober life forever.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. Also, look for the new book I've co-written called "Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery. It's coming out in January 2010.

Claim to be a Christian, Not an Addict

According to the Bible, we're new creations in God. That means we're changed, we're different, we're made new. This is an amazing reality, but one that many Christians in recovery seem to forget.

You can't claim you are an addict for the rest of your life if you claim you are a Christian. You must see yourself as transformed, and you must believe that the power of God and the blood of Jesus is enough for you to resist all temptation. When you continually claim your addiction, you are empowering your old self to rise up.

Your old self is the problem. You must walk in your new creation reality so that you can live as a victorious, addiction-free Christian forever. This is what the Bible says, and this is what the blood of Jesus has done for you.

Follow The Solid Rock Road ministry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad, and look for our book to come out in January 2010 called "Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery."